A Wolf at the Door [Pierce]

[Anty]

((I thought it was good!))

"Change your clothes."

Alright, he agreed. He did need to change his clothes. He tried to ignore it, but her voice sounded cold. Cold and harsh. Poisonous. Unlike some, his heart wasn't always a fist. Her words hurt, even if she didn't mean it. He stood up and walked over to the box. It had decent clothes, but it wasn't really his style. Better than freezing.

Pierce glanced around at August. He didn't want to strip in front of August, but he didn't really have a choice. He slipped off his clothes, though he left on his boxers. There was no way he would risk his dignity. He doubted there were any boxers in there, anyways, and he wasn't going to wear tighty-whiteys. He laughed. "New family? That drunk in there is my brother! Not exactly the kind of family someone would want," he said, slipping a pair of jeans on. "Ripping you away from your only friend? It wasn't my fault, August. I didn't know you would freak. You seemed so... brave," he finished, pulling a white t-shirt over his head.

He sat down on the bed, his back to August. He had come to cheer her up. Maybe ask her for forgiveness, something. But she made that impossible. Why was she complicated? Couldn't she learn to forget the past, like he did? He was a man who had his life set in stone, and all of that slipped through his grasp. At least she knew her parents. Pierce laced his fingers together and stared at the ground. "I'm not Pierce Fólan. I'm Pierce Sanderson. Shouldn't you remember that? My parents died," he sniffed. He fell back on the bed. "Oh, yeah. I was going to tell you that I could transform into a wolf. What a turn on. How was I supposed to know that you had a talisman? I'm not perfect."

((This one seems like shite to me... ))

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

((Don't worry, mine will be worse. Need proof? Read below.))

"Well, up until today, Ant was the closest thing to family I've had in a long time." August squeezed the bullets tightly. ..So he is drunk.She put the bullets back in her pockets. Last time Anthony was drunk, he had tried to shoot her. Ant didn't even have a good reason for pulling the trigger. August had already supplied him with a reason, and she wasn't about to supply him with the bullets.

Now it was her turn to laugh. "Brave? That's funny. I was only 'brave' because you were there. Imagine my surprise when i find my best friend missing, and a wolf in his place." August let an awkward silence fill the room, before admitting quietly, "You know, I thought he ate you." She didn't want to remember anymore of that night.

August winced when he sniffed. She didn't want him to cry. Slowly, she got up from floor, and crawled right up next to him. Setting a piece of chocolate on his stomach, she mumbled "Um.. Don't cry." She kissed him quickly on the corner of his jaw. August remembered doing the same thing to Ant.. minus the kiss. She didn't know what else to say. "Back in Iceland, I wanted to be your wife." It was embarrassing to admit, but if it cheered him up, it would be worth it.

((Point Proven. AND it's small.))

[Anty]

Pierce's eyes looked up at August, almost rolling into the back of his head. He pushed his fingers into his eyes, stopping the tears that would surely come if he didn't do something soon. In a period that seemed to last only a few seconds, he had been reunited with both his best friend and his brother. There had already been enough excitement for one day, and he didn't want to talk about his, no, their past. But he knew that if they pushed it away, they would just have to talk about it tomorrow, or the next day. He figured that they couldn't go on like that. August had to know the truth, but she could wait a day or two, couldn't she? He dragged his fingers down from his eyes to his chin, pulling the skin with it.

He opened his eyes to see August sitting above him. How long had he been pondering on it all? He must have drowned out all of August's words, because he didn't hear what she said, if anything at all. He was going to ask, but the small kiss made him forget what he was going to say. He hoped it wasn't too important, because right then he was distracted by the chocolate sitting on his stomach. He picked it up, looking at the package curiously. He unwrapped it. He didn't like chocolate, but he could never tell August that. She would be devastated. He sat up, popping the candy into his mouth. And immediately, he spit it back into his hand. He looked at August, then back at the chocolate. Well, there went that ruse. He slapped the wet slab of chocolate into the palm of her hand.

"Uhh, I j-just remembered that I'm allergic to chocolate," he stammered. He picked up a bottle of water that couldn't be anyone's but Anthony's. He turned to August, his face completely serious. "Back in Iceland, I wanted to be your Baby's Daddy." He unscrewed the top and took and gulp of water. He couldn't keep a straight face though, and as he smiled water spilled down his front. "I still kind of do," he said, laughing. After he said that, he realized he didn't want to be anywhere but here. Except waiting in line with Anthony at the ice cream truck, but that was now in the past. Before Anthony was sent away. Right now he wouldn't want to be anywhere else or with anybody else. He set his hand down on the bed between August and himself.

((Uhh, I hope this makes sense... ))

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

At that moment, that small piece of chocolate weighed more than iron. She stared at it, too shocked to keep the hurt from her eyes. "...You don't have allergies." Of course, she would know if he did. August had been to his house countless times. The only medication there was prescribed to Mr. or Mrs. Sanderson. "No, it's okay. You don't have to like candy.." She tried to mean what she said. So he doesn't like candy. Big deal.. The more she said it, the less it hurt.

..My baby's daddy..? Admittedly, it made August happy. It's not like she hadn't wanted the same thing, but it was embarrassing to hear it. She dropped the chocolate, completely forgetting his betrayal. August wanted to kiss him again, but something Ant said stopped her. "Keep the kissing to a minimum." August found that keeping her promise was going to be harder than she thought. She looked at Pierce. In the years, they'd been apart, he'd become a man. Every time she looked at him, August felt she didn't know him, and then he'd open his mouth and the feeling went away. Whenever he talked, he stopped being the tattooed muscle man, and he became the little boy she knew back in the day.

Every kid played House, and August and Pierce were no exceptions. They complained about the IRS, whatever that was. Pierce would hold up the newspaper and talk about the sock market. August did the laundry. August discolored the laundry. She would (try to) cook. She would set off the fire alarm. They had sleepovers almost every night. They spent more time with each other, than with their families.

August blinked. She had spaced out. What time is it? Actually, August didn't really care what time it was. She was hungry, so that meant it was time to eat. August slipped her hand into his, and pulled him off the bed. "Come on, I'm hungry." August picked up her box, and led him through the door. She had almost forgotten about her groceries. August headed out Ant's bedroom, not wanting to spend another minute in there. She spotted Ant on the couch, curled up in the fetal position, cradling a beer bottle. August got closer. He was passed out, probably drank himself unconscious. She set her box down, removed the bottle, and covered him with a blanket. Okay, so he isn't the greatest replacement father, but at least he isn't the worst. There was a long pause before August came to a decision. She set down the bullets next to Ant. It was up to him what he did with them. August picked up her box, and headed over to the kitchen. She stored her food in the fridge, all except the eggs. Two had broken when she tripped earlier today. She threw away the broken eggs, and picked up two new ones. August dug through the cupboards, looking for a pan. She found what she was looking for and set it on the cook-top. With crossed fingers, she hoped she'd do a better job then last time..

It hadn't been that hard, considering she could see over the cook-top now. August picked up the pan and sizzling eggs, and poured them into plates. Setting the pan in the sink, August allowed herself a little pride. "..Hey.. i didn't burn them." She smiled at Pierce. Humming, August reached over to turn off the cook-top, but something touched her arm. It wasn't solid.. but it was hot. August let out a quick scream, and pulled her arm close. She pranced up and down and cradled her arm, before coming to her senses. Hastily August shoved her arm into the freezer, breathing heavily as the pain subsided. ".. I didn't ruin the eggs. This still counts as a victory." She laughed weakly. ..Ouch..

[Anty]

She was onto his lies. True, he had eaten candy before and been just fine, but he wasn't actually too bright. Couldn't people catch allergies? He shrugged. Pierce watched August as she stood up and started to walk away, but soon he was being dragged by his hand into the living room. His other hand still had the water in it as he followed after her, resembling a new puppy. His fingers slipped away from hers and he sat down at the kitchen table. He set the water down on the table. He watched August as she went to work, much like a dog. It was all too familiar. They used to do this almost everyday. Then it was just play time, but today Pierce liked to think that it was almost real. Before, they almost always set off a small fire, or some other catastrophe. Pierce wondered if today August would do something like that. To him, August was the same little girl that he used to know in Iceland. She hadn't changed a bit since then. To him, he was still the innocent girl he needed to protect. The truth was, she wasn't.

Pierce looked at the stack of newspapers on the floor. He thought about picking it up and muttering smart remarks about how sad the stock market was today while pretending to read it. But he didn't. Instead he walked into the living room, in front of Anthony. He looked at the bullets curiously. Why had August given a crazy drunk bullets? Where was the reasoning behind it? He reached his hand out to take the bullets away from him, but instead he let his hand fall back to his side. Truth was, August was smarter than him, and probably new what was right. Anthony's face looked distressed. Was he having a nightmare? Pierce poked his face experimentally. Nothing. He shook his shoulder, none to softly. Anthony said something, but the words were too slurred to understand.

Anthony was, in fact, unconscious. And dreaming. He walked into Evan's apartment, a place he used to call home. The apartment was dark and he could just see a figure standing before him. Evan was waiting for him. He was holding up a whiskey bottle that had belonged to none other than Anthony. It was full, too. "I found ten of these. Are you ever sober?" Evan asked him, poison in his words. Anthony stared hungrily at the bottle, "I've killed a lot of people." Evan laughed, "You think that's a valid excuse?" Anthony gaped at Evan. He had no idea what he went through everyday. He had never killed anyone. Compared to Anthony, Evan was so innocent... "Yes. I do," he replied. "I don't. And besides, you've got new friends now," Evan said, shoving Anthony roughly. "No! I don't. You're my only friend... " How could Evan be so dim? And suddenly a 6 foot tall rabbit hopped into the room. Anthony smiled, forgetting all of his worries. How cute. That is, until the rabbit pulled out a gun and Evan's brains splatted against the wall. The rabbit bent down next to Evan's tangled form and started to eat his flesh. "You're next," it told him in a deep voice. "Oh sh-" Anthony said, before he woke up. His eyes flew open. He was covered in cold sweat. Pierce stood towering above him. Just a dream... he thought, before he passed out again.

Pierce smiled at his older brother's crazy ways. He thought about telling him that everything would be fine, but decided Anthony would be alright. He didn't deserve comforting, anyways. He walked back to the kitchen, and August was still cooking. Had she even noticed he had left? Then she burned her arm on the eggs. Pierce rushed to her side, "Oh, that has to be fatal," he said in all seriousness. Pierce looked around the kitchen helplessly. He had no idea what to do. He always panicked when something like happened. Bandage? Water? Fire? Why would he need fire? Ice? Yes, ice. He opened the freezer and took a handful of ice out. He needed something else... He found a plastic baggy and sloppily put the ice cubes into it, spilling some onto the floor. He looked at August, the baggy still in his hand. "Should I call a doctor?" He looked at the baggy. "Oh." He held out the baggy for her. Don't panic... he thought. But it was too late for that. "It's a good thing you didn't overreact," he told her.

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

((You have no idea how hard I laughed at that meat eating bunny.))

"No doctor necessary, but your concern is cute." August laughed and took the baggy. Gingerly, she set it on the burn. She winced, but it was okay. The pain wasn't as bad as a few minutes ago. "Thank you." August looked away awkwardly, realizing she'd been staring. "Oh, um.. Let's eat." She picked up the two plates of eggs and cleared a space for them on the never-been-used dining table. Hesitantly she took a bite, it looked horrible... "It tastes like victory." Not victory, exactly. Despite it's disgusting appearance, it tasted fine. Maybe even good.

Frost dug around in August's thoughts, and squealed in glee at what she found. August tried to keep it a secret, but you can't really keep anything a secret from Frost. You still like him! You still want to marry him! You're happy he wants to be your baby's daddy! August tried to shut her up, but she wouldn't listen. Frost sang August's secrets loud and clear, and August was glad that no one else could hear her. Her cheeks colored pink, and she stared at her nasty looking eggs. Picking at the food, the teasing grew louder. You wanna hug him, and kiss him, and cook for him! You wanna be the apple of his eye, and you want him to look at no one else but you. Red replaced pink, and August bit down on an embarrassed smile. The thoughts sounded good, but she had just re-met him.

Frost got louder, and August was almost certain Pierce could hear her. She looked up and caught his eye. August stared, then felt the need to say something. What should i say?? Nothing came to her mind, it was a completely blank. She couldn't think of a single thing to say.. You know, i don't think i've ever seen you so tongue-tied. Especially not because of a guy. Frost flicked her tail in amusement.

Frost was no help. "I'm.. I'm really happy to see you again, Pierce." August realized how much she really meant it. She'd been lonely without him, and now he was back. Their reunion was a little awkward though..

[Anty]

((... Frank is real.))

Pierce smiled stupidly. Cute? She thought that his stupidity was cute? So maybe she wasn't going to die from a first degree burn. But how did that make his concern cute? "Oh, yeah. It's no problem," he shrugged. He followed August, not sure what to say. "The eggs look... delicious," he lied. He sat down at the table and began shoveling down his egg. It wasn't long before it was gone, but he still fingered the fork. He looked at the table that looked like it had just come from a furniture store. What did Anthony do if he didn't eat? It made him worried. First August forgetting to eat, and now Anthony? He would make sure to confront them later.

"I'm.. I'm really happy to see you again, Pierce."

He dropped the fork onto the plate. It rattled eerily, and was followed by a ringing silence. "No," Pierce said in a disappointed tone. The room was completely silent again. He rose to his feet, sending the chair back with a groan. His mouth was dry and he needed something to drink. He walked to the fridge and opened it. He peered inside of it. He grabbed a beer bottle and slammed the fridge closed behind him. He leaned back against the counter, resting his elbows on it. He popped the beer bottle open and took a long swig. "Look, August... " he trailed off. He didn't know how to say it, but he felt responsible for August. "I can't... We can't... It's just not... " He wiped his arm across his mouth.

"I dated a girl once. Pretty little thing. I believe her name was Jocelyn. Anyways, she was too young. And I probably shouldn't have told you that, but the point is, you're too young. I'm not good enough for you," he was beginning to doubt himself. There was not a way that he could ever get away with dating someone like August. She walked on streets of gold, and he... didn't. He stared down at the beer bottle, not wanting to look at August. He had to stop himself from doing anything else stupid.

"I'm not your boyfriend, baby. I can't grant your every wish. I'm not your knight in shining armor. So, I'll just leave you with this kiss." He stood up straight. He moved closer to August, kissed his hand, then dragged it across her face. "Have a nice life, Sweets," he said, ruffling her hair, and left the apartment, slamming the door behind him. Part of him wanted to take the drunk Anthony with him, but he couldn't take Anthony away from his own apartment, so he didn't. He would come back when August wasn't there.

((August can follow him, or not. *shrugs* Your choice.))

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

((If August doesn't follow, it would be the death of the plot that you so skillfully set up without any help.))

One minute she was happy, finally having a bit of the past she missed so much, and the next minute her past is telling her he doesn't want her. What was wrong with this moment? The fire alarm hadn't gone off. Her parents weren't hovering around her in a mixture of concern or anger. August hadn't toppled over the fridge, wasted all the duck tape, or stayed at Pierce's house without her parents knowledge. So why was she being punished?

August stared stupidly at the fork, incapable of moving. The moment was surreal. Frost whispered something, but August couldn't hear. Believe it's Jocelyn? Tension coiled in her stomach like a cobra coils before it strikes. One day Pierce would talk about her like he talked about Jocelyn. Her name could be Jacquelyn or Joni for all he knew. "Yeah, i use to know a girl, i think her name was Andrea or Alexis. Something like that." Frost said he wouldn't do that, that he couldn't do that, but August knew what he was capable of doing. Pierce could hurt people. Heck, he was doing it right now. The question had always been 'Would he?'.

In the back of her head, August had always known he was dating and having fun. He's nineteen, of course he's had a girlfriend. But it finally dawned on August how much he had actually grown up when he held that beer bottle. She stood up, just because she couldn't stand to sit. He dragged his hand across her face and said things that didn't make sense. Ruffling her hair made her feel way younger than she was. August watched him go, her legs feeling like lead. The silence was unbearable. August stared at the door, just waiting for Pierce to pop his head in a shout 'Just kidding.' Something got caught in her throat, and something hurt her far worse than the fire ever could. Are you just going to stand there and stare?? MOVE.

Frost snapped her out of her stupor, and August bolted out of the door after Pierce. "You can't do that. You just can't leave after making me so happy!" She grabbed onto the back of his shirt, trying to slow him down. Her heels dragged a bit on the floor, until eventually coming to a stop. August wrapped her arms around his midsection and buried her face into his back. "You already gave me my wish when you came back, you've always been my knight in shining armor, and if you think I'll let you leave me with a pathetic kiss like that, then you're dead wrong." His shirt muffled her words, but she hoped he could hear. August pulled her head up, just for a little air. "Besides, you're wearing my clothes, and I'm not letting you leave, not until you return them." She was kidding.. partially. Despite the serious situation, she couldn't help but smile an embarrassed smile. "Since when did you become such a big poetic canine, huh?"

[Anty]

((Thank you. *bows*))

Anthony woke up to the taste of plastic in his mouth. Confused, he looked at his hands to find a package of bullets, ripped open. He sat up, spitting out the bits of plastic. His skin was covered in sticky sweat. He picked up a pack of cigarettes and lighter sitting on the floor and lit one. Images from his dream flashed through his mind. He puffed nervously at the cigarette, not caring that he wasn't allowed to inside the apartment. He saw Evan's brains splattering against the ceiling as he kicked off the blanket. He didn't like the fact that he was worried about Evan when he was trying to forget him. He managed to stumble into his room and slip on jeans and a t-shirt.

Anthony picked his gun up from the ground. He closed the lid to the toilet and sat down, loading the gun. As he did the mindless work, he thought about how much he resembled the rabbit in his dreams. True, he didn't look a thing like it, but he was about to barge in on Evan. What if I am the rabbit? What if he had killed Evan? He quickened his pace and soon enough, he slipped the gun in the back of his pants. He walked out of his apartment, finding his way to Evan's. He knew the way by heart, though he had never actually tried going from his own apartment yet. He stood in front of the door now.

Anthony tried to open it, but it was locked. At least that meant he hadn't been there tonight. He rang the doorbell. What would he say if Evan answered? "Oh. I was checking on you, just in case you got shot by a giant rabbit. Guess not." That sounded ridiculous, even in his head. He twiddled his thumbs, waiting.

Pierce stopped in his tracks, waiting from August to catch up. He sighed. Why was she doing this to him? He felt like he was torn in two pieces. Part of him wanted to go back to Anthony's apartment with August, but the rest wanted to leave them behind. "Damn girl... " he muttered, prying August off his back. He walked towards August, pinning her against the wall. He grabbed her by the jaw, none to gently. "You," he pointed to her, "stay." He pointed to himself, "I leave." Pierce studied her face for a moment. He thought about hitting her, or perhaps kissing her, but instead he just shook his head and left.

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

August puffed out her cheeks, much like a spoiled child. "You can't tell me what to do. I'm not your dog. If all things considered, you're my dog." She followed him, completely ignoring his command. August had just gotten Pierce back, she wasn't about to let him go. "You're still wearing my collar. That means you're mine." She placed on hand on his chest, and stepped in his way. August looped her finger into his collar and pulled him down so that he was eye level. "If I'm not enough to make you stay," She hesitated a little. August wanted to be enough, but something told her she would never be enough to keep Pierce here. She let out a shaky breath before continuing "If I'm not enough to make you stay, then what about Ant? Are you going to leave him behind?"

Frost was trying to be supportive, but she wasn't helping. August was feeling about as low as possible. Pierce wouldn't stay for her, he might not even stay for Ant. The old Pierce would have thought August was a good reason to stay, but something happened to the old Pierce to make him change. August would cry, but her tears had run dry. Yesterday had been a great day. She found a friend and a home, but today..

In a few hours, the most important thing from her old life made her only friend hate her. It had only taken one second for Pierce to take Ant's love from her. In one second, Ant wasn't thinking about rushing home to see August.. he was hugging Pierce. But that wasn't Pierce's fault. "It's hers."

The only thing Pierce was guilty of, was trying to leave her behind. She let go of the collar, and looked at the floor. August couldn't stand to look him in the eye. "If you're going to leave, then give me back my collar." She stuck out her hand, and suddenly, she had enough tears to cry.

[Waddle]

He was crouched down in the living room, between the couch and the TV. The couch you got for.. him... The memory hit like someone had just hit him as hard as possible with a steel baseball bat. He could only stare down at what he held in his hands; the large knife he had used occasionally to cook something special. But now, it wasn't just a knife. It was an end. "And it's all your fault." His voice was but a whisper, without his exhausted brain realizing he had spoken the thought aloud. "It's your fault, and you know it. No, no," he defended himself harshly. "It's his fault. He shouldn't have done that, he never thinks of anyone but himself, he never did. No, no!" The knife slipped through his fingers as he clutched his pounding head. "No, no, it's your fault. You.. you ruined it. And now you have no one. You've pushed everyone away, and you don't care. No, you don't care..." He began to laugh manically, the sound echoing through the dirty apartment that was so empty now.

He stopped and stared at the television. It was a cartoon of some sorts. "He always liked cartoons." Why couldn't he get Anthony out of his head? "Because he became the center of your little world and crushed it like a roach under his stupid combat boots."

Someone was trying to open the door. Evan didn't want to answer it, but maybe it was Anthony. Did he want to see Anthony? No, he never wanted to see that man ever again. "So why do you want to open it so bad, now that you think it might be him?" He kicked the knife with a bare right foot, the blade cutting open the underside of his foot from the middle toe to the heel. He fell back on his bottom and began to laugh once more. Ironic, how he had wanted to hurt himself with that knife, and just when he decided it could wait, it laid his whole foot open several inches. Oh, how he hated irony. Oh, how he hated everything.

Getting to his feet, he limped to the door, leaving footprints of blood, and unlocked it. Opening it a crack, he hid half his face behind the door and examined the person standing outside with only the right side of his face. His heart fell to his knees and his stomach jumped up his throat. "Damn..." Was he imagining again? He'd had hallucinations before. This was probably one of them. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What do you want?" he growled. "Thought you were done with me."

(( www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVUPAboG45c&feature=related < This is how he laughs. Don't ask me what the heck is going on, just listen to the laugh. xD))

[Anty]

((Don't have much muse... ))

Pierce was about to take the elevator when August stopped him. He sighed, watching the elevator close again and go to another floor. He grabbed August's hand that wasn't on his chest, but he was pulled down to her level anyways. Why was August doing this? Why was he doing this? He didn't have reason to treat her like a child, he just... was. Maybe he was the one acting like a child. Either way, he didn't deserve someone like August. Or maybe she didn't deserve someone quite like him. He wasn't sure.

Pierce looked into August's eyes. "I've grown up, August, and I don't think you have. And until you do that, I don't think we should see each other. As for my brother... Well, I think he can take care of himself. I'm sorry," he finished. Straightening his back, he pressed the elevator button once again. She wanted his collar back? To be truthful, he didn't want to give up the collar. And he wasn't about to. "You want your dumb collar back? Fine," he said, a smile creeping onto his face. "But you're gonna have to catch me!" he said, beginning to sprint down the long hallway. His legs were much longer than hers, and he knew she have a chance. He didn't slow down too much as he took turns and twists. Not until he saw a familiar figure standing a long way down the hallway... His brother. He came to a quick stop in the middle of the hallway. He slumped over, his breath coming fast. He was sure Anthony would spot him, but he didn't. He just stood there, at someone's doorway. He saw the door crack open, but he couldn't tell who it was. Was it Anthony's girlfriend? Probably not. It was probably just a friend, but Pierce was, by now, too curious to just walk away.

Anthony turned away from the door, discouraged. He had heard voices, but they were muffled. Someone was there, and even if it was Evan, why would he want to see Anthony? After everything Anthony had done to him... He put out the cigarette and stuffed it into his pocket for use later. He jumped in surprise when he heard Evan's voice. He turned around, slowly, to face him. Evan sounded like a different person, his voice was raspier. Back out, just leave. Now! he told himself from somewhere inside his head. No, no. You stay. You're already here. Backing out now will only make him hate you more. I know he looks angry, but at least you'll know how he's doing, he told himself. Anthony tried a smile, but it slipped away again, as he looked at Evan. He studied his feet. Oh. He looks bad. And angry. Man, don't you wish you were good at comforting crazy people? Too bad you are one. Look at you! You're thinking in second person!

Anthony looked up at Evan again, realizing he had been ignoring Evan for quite some time. "I just came to check on you, no harm meant," he said. "I-I thought I- I mean it, the giant rabbit, I thought he shot you, or I shot you," he stammered out quickly, scratching his head. Maybe this was a dream, maybe the the six-foot tall rabbit was reality. Maybe Evan was dead. Maybe Anthony was dead. Maybe he was at Evan's funeral. Maybe Anthony was the giant rabbit.

((God you don't know how much fun I had with that video. xD))

[Augustus is a SWOObat]

The hair on the back of August's neck bristled with indignation. She wasn't a child. August had done a lot of growing up since Pierce left the first time, but he apparently hadn't noticed. She bit down on her lip, much like Ant. August hadn't realized it, but she was picking up some habits. She watched him hit the elevator button, "Don't lie. You aren't sorry. If you were, you wouldn't be doing this. You'd turn around and come back inside.."

Catch him? She couldn't even do that when they were kids, especially not now since Pierce's legs were almost half the length of her body. August's jaw dropped as he ran. "Yeah, You've grown up bunches!" Sarcasm dripped off her words, as she shouted at his retreating figure. She didn't know if she should follow. August clenched her teeth, and paced, still mad at Pierce. It didn't take long for her to make up her mind. Pierce still had her collar. She wasn't about to let him keep her collar, wear her clothes, eat her food, then leave.

Dashing after him, she relied more on sound than sight. August listened for his footsteps and twisted and turned around corners, hoping she was heading in the right direction. With every step, her anger waned and her smile waxed. August forgot why she was mad, and just wanted to play with Pierce. Something got in her eye and she rubbed them. August kept running; it's not like she had been using her eyes. She ran into something hard, and the front of her head felt like it exploded. August landed on her back, and the her head hit the floor. The back of her head exploded in pain much like the first. She didn't know which to hold, so she grabbed the one that hurt first. August opened her teary eyes, and saw spots. Was that Pierce she bumped into? She was a little disappointed that he was still standing..

Was that Ant? When had he woken up? The spots cleared and August noticed the gun. Sudden apprehension grabbed her. She didn't know why he was standing outside someone's apartment, or who's apartment it was, but if he had his gun with him there was only one thing he could be planning to do. Suddenly, August regretted giving him the bullets.

[Waddle]

"A giant rabbit?" Evan muttered. It was meant only for his brain, but his brain and his mouth had become the same thing recently. Pulling the door open a little more, he reached out to touch Anthony's face. "Surely you're imagining, Evan... Wouldn't be the first time..." His fingers touched Anty's cheek and he withdrew with a hiss, once again hiding halfway behind the door and holding his hand close to himself as if the contact had burned. "Not normally solid," he rambled to himself. "Close the door, don't let 'im in, close the door! But you can't make yourself..."

He paused as he just took in the sight of Anthony. "You look... great..." he said dully. Then his gaze slid away from Anthony's, instead looking at the ground. He spoke to himself again, not meaning for the other man to overhear. "Better than he was with you. Oh, shut up, already!" He glanced nervously up and down the streets for people. Some were walking, some in their yards, taking out the trash, playing with pets and children. And he felt like they were all staring directly at him. With a muttered curse, he slipped farther inside his apartment, closing the door until he could only see a strip of Anthony through the crack. "Won't mind their own business... Why can't they just leave us alone?"

He moaned and hit his head agianst the corner of the door none-too-gently. That caused the door to snap shut, and he quickly opened it back to the tiny sliver. Almost hoping that Anthony, or rather, Anthony's apparition, had disappeared, Evan couldn't tell if he was happy or angry that it was still there. "Go away..." he whined, but he wasn't able to bring himself to shut the door. Or to bash his head against it and make it shut. He was mainly waiting to see if Anthony would disibate on the wind, or disappear into the shadows like illusions did in all the movies. But couldn't we just imagine he disappeared? He felt real enough... The thought caused him to rub his fingers together nervously. They still felt warm from the touch. He just didn't know what to think anymore, so he tried to keep from thinking.

[Anty]

Pierce strained his ears, trying to listen to Anthony's conversation, but all he heard was a blur. He was about to sneak closer, but instead he was rammed into from behind. His back slammed against the wall, and at first he thought he was playing football and it was a sweaty football player, or maybe it was a large dog, but instead he found August. He had completely forgotten about their game of tag, or whatever it was. The sight of Anthony had distracted, and maybe he should have turned around and began running from August again, but instead he stayed put. There game could wait.

"Shh!" he said, putting a finger to his lips. Everything that he had been worried about earlier was gone now. All his troubles vanished. They returned back to the day when they were kids, when they used to spy on their parents. Pierce motioned for August to follow him as he slowly crept closer to Anthony, just within hearing range.

Anthony gaped at Evan. Has he gone insane? Surely he had. Anthony had never really known the meaning of the word until now. He blinked slowly, trying to take in the fact that the man who used to be his best friend was insane. No, this had to be a dream. A nightmare. There had to be a way to wake himself. Surely he would wake up, drenched in sweat. His hand reached back for his gun, his fingertips grabbing hold of it. He had heard that if you died in a dream, you would wake up. But what if he wasn't sleeping? What if this was reality? Easy answer. He'd be dead. No one would gain a thing from his death, except maybe Evan and a few others he couldn't name off the top of his head. His hand slipped into his pocket and found the electric lighter. He flipped the top open, and flicked it on. Slowly his finger moved towards the small flame until it was inside the flame. He waited, expecting to wake up any moment now, but instead his finger started to burn. "Gah!" he exclaimed, closing the lighter and putting it back in his pocket. He shook his hand violently, trying to stop the burning.

Anthony gently touched his burnt finger with his other hand, but withdrew it quickly. He wasn't dreaming after all. He looked up at Evan, "Yeah. The rabbit. I believe his name is... No. I forgot, You haven't met him?" he asked quietly. Anthony listened to Evan's conversation, he felt like he died a little inside every time he said some insane. But... He looked great? Somehow that was hard to believe. Don't say anything gay! he warned himself. "Sometimes I miss you so much it hurts, you know," he told him in response. Nicely done, I think.

Anthony watched Evan again, not sure what to expect. "Don't!" he exclaimed as Evan hit his head on the door. Too late. He looked down at Evan's feet, noticing Evan's bloody foot for the first time. "Oh God. Are you sure Frank -The rabbit- hasn't been here?" he asked. He knew he should do something about the foot, but he didn't know what. Instead took the gun from behind his back, shoved past Evan, and entered his house. He stepped into the apartment, looking around wildly for a very tall rabbit. He saw the blood-stained floor and the knife. He kicked the knife with his foot, a little disappointed that he hadn't found the giant rabbit. Maybe Evan wasn't going insane. Maybe he was.